Welcome (back) to the blog and thanks for taking the time to stop by on another Meatless Monday. We at Planet Forward took the pledge to support this sustainable practice that promotes eliminating meat from your diet one day per week with the goal of reducing meat consumption by 15% to improve personal and planetary health. A small sacrifice for big reward.

Do you have a hard time getting your kids to eat broccoli?  If so, then cavatelli with broccoli and cream is the perfect receipe for you. This quintessential Italian dish comes from Cake Boss Buddy Valastro’s new TLC show Kitchen Boss and is just as delicious as it is easy to make but you don’t have to take my word for it. Let’s get cooking and you’ll see for yourself.

Ingredients

• 4-5 cups broccoli florets and tender leaves
• 3 plump cloves garlic, mince
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound fresh or frozen cavatelli
• Grated parmesan for mixing and serving

image courtesy of thatgirlmel.com

Preparation:

1. Bring a large stockpot of salted water to the boil. Blanch the broccoli – cook more than al dente stage, but not to a mush. Remove and shock the broccoli in ice water to stop cooking. Keep water at a simmer. Use the same water to cook cavatelli.
2. Heat a large sauté pan with enough capacity to contain all of the sauce, broccoli and pasta over medium. Add the olive oil and garlic and cook over low heat, just to flavour the oil with the garlic. The garlic should not burn.
3. Meanwhile, cook the cavatelli per instructions al dente. Drain into a bowl, and add broccoli, some cheese and the garlic oil. Toss to combine and serve with plenty of grated parmesan on the side.

This recipe for cavatelli with broccoli and cream will yield about four portions and can be easily adjusted. If you cannot find either fresh or frozen cavatelli, potato gnocchi or orecchiette will work well as a substitute. Don’t be afraid to swap in other “short” pastas if you prefer a spelt, whole wheat or brown rice pasta option. Complete this offering with a side salad dressed with light vinaigrette as the pasta to cut the creaminess of the pasta dish.

If you want to learn more about the sustainable Meatless Monday movement, please visit www.meatlessmonday.com and take the pledge today.

Enjoy.